World of Wonder creates doc division

World of Wonder, the US prodco behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, is launching a documentary division to be headed by unscripted executive Jim Fraenkel.

World of Wonder’s Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey

Wow Docs will develop and produce feature-length documentaries for both linear channels and streaming platforms, including World of Wonder’s SVoD service Wow Presents Plus.

Fraenkel, who is currently senior VP of current at World of Wonder, has worked at the prodco since 2018, prior to which he produced news and docs for Spotify, MTV and Fox.

His new job title will be senior VP of documentary and current, reporting to co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey.

Current projects in development include Explant, directed by Jeremy Simmons, which follows media personality Michelle Visage as she gets her breast implants taken out after years of suffering from what she believes to be an implant-related illness.

Also in development is Spotlight, helmed by Jasper Rischen, which follows the filmmaker as he goes on a quest around the world in search of local talent.

“We began our career in documentaries with The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Ever since, we have always believed that the potential to tell real-life, powerful, moving stories is limitless. We see a significant gap in the market. The preference for big-name talent and directors means there are many powerful and inspiring stories from outsider voices crying out to be told,” said Barbato and Bailey.

“Non-scripted narrative is for us the cutting edge of storytelling today. Two of our feature docs have been made into scripted features, and we see that as something that will continue to happen as the scripted world looks to documentaries for material and inspiration.”